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Soon the flames were so intense, firefighters were evacuated from the building. One of them was cut on his forearm, but he was treated and released at Baylor Medical Center, Lopez said.

Electricity was shut off to the block where the restaurant was located, which closed other neighborhood businesses, Lopez said. She predicted that power would be restored by late afternoon on the block.

Meanwhile, she added, firefighters were using heavy equipment to peel back the smoldering debris; they were hosing down hot spots as investigators prepared to look for clues.

"I would imagine that, as the day goes by, that building will get flatter and flatter," Lopez said.